[🇧🇩] Extradition of Hasina, Awami Leaders/Beneficiaries and Related News.

[Saif]

Date Occurred: Nov 11, 2024

Govt to seek extradition of Hasina

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Photo: Reuters/File

The interim government will seek extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who took shelter in India after the fall of the Awami League government through a students-led mass upsurge on August 5, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul said today.

Prosecutors of the International Crimes Tribunal have already been appointed and the authorities have made other visible progress for the trial of the ones accused of crimes against humanity during the July students protest.

"Soon, the trial process will begin and then we will seek extradition of former prime minister from India," he said.

Hasina and dozens of other leaders of her cabinet and Awami League are facing cases that accused them of murders during the July-August protests.

A UN fact-finding mission also started working in Bangladesh to investigate all the human rights violations between July 1 and August 15.​

 

[Saif]

শেখ হাসিনার ভারতেই থাকা উচিত: শ্রীলঙ্কার প্রেসিডেন্ট

ভারতীয় সংবাদমাধ্যম ফার্স্টপোস্টকে দেওয়া এক সাক্ষাৎকারে তিনি এ মন্তব্য করেন।

bangla.thedailystar.net

শেখ হাসিনার ভারতেই থাকা উচিত: শ্রীলঙ্কার প্রেসিডেন্ট
ভারতীয় সংবাদমাধ্যম ফার্স্টপোস্টকে দেওয়া এক সাক্ষাৎকারে তিনি এ মন্তব্য করেন।

শ্রীলঙ্কার প্রেসিডেন্ট রনিল বিক্রমাসিংহে। ছবি: ভিডিও থেকে নেওয়া

বাংলাদেশের সাবেক প্রধানমন্ত্রী শেখ হাসিনার ভারতেই অবস্থান করা উচিত বলে মন্তব্য করেছেন শ্রীলঙ্কার প্রেসিডেন্ট রনিল বিক্রমাসিংহে।

ভারতীয় সংবাদমাধ্যম ফার্স্টপোস্টকে দেওয়া এক সাক্ষাৎকারে তিনি এ মন্তব্য করেন। ফার্স্টপোস্টের ব্যবস্থাপনা সম্পাদক পালকি শর্মাকে দেওয়া এ সাক্ষাৎকার বৃহস্পতিবার প্রকাশিত হয়।

শেখ হাসিনার ভারতে অবস্থানকে কেন্দ্র করে দিল্লি-ঢাকা টানাপড়েন নিয়ে মন্তব্য জানতে চাইলে রনিল বিক্রমাসিংহে বলেন, 'প্রথমে বাংলাদেশে স্থিতিশীলতা আনতে হবে, জনগণের আস্থা ফেরাতে হবে। পরিস্থিতি সামলে নিতে আমাদের সবার উচিত বাংলাদেশকে সাহায্য করা।'

'শেখ হাসিনার বিষয়ে উদ্বেগ আছে, সেটা রাজনৈতিক ইস্যু। এটা এভাবে দেখতে হবে যে অনেক নেতা দেশ ছেড়ে বিদেশে যান। এরপর তারা বিদেশেই অবস্থান করেন। এগুলো রাজনৈতিক ব্যাপার,' বলেন তিনি।

বিক্রমাসিংহে আরও বলেন, 'আমি যে বিষয়ে অগ্রাধিকার দেবো, তা হলো বাংলাদেশ স্থিতিশীল হোক। শেখ হাসিনা যদি দেশের বাইরে থাকতে চান, বাইরেই থাকুক।'

আরেক প্রশ্নের জবাবে তিনি বলেন, 'বিনিয়োগকারীদের বলব আপনারা বাংলাদেশ ছেড়ে যাবেন না। দ্রুত সেখানে স্থিতিশীলতা ফিরে আসুক। সেনাবাহিনীকে বাড়তি ক্ষমতা দেওয়া হয়েছে। এটা এ সময় প্রয়োজন ছিল।'

'জনগণকে সিদ্ধান্ত নিতে হবে যে তারা কীভাবে দেশ চালাতে চায়, নির্বাচন হোক। বাংলাদেশের ভবিষ্যৎ খুবই সম্ভাবনাময়,' বলেন শ্রীলঙ্কার প্রেসিডেন্ট।​

 

[Saif]

No specific discussion on Hasina with foreign secretary, says Verma

Indian High Commissioner Pranay Kumar Verma has said there were no specific discussions regarding former prime minister Sheikh Hasina during his meeting with Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin. "There wasn’t a specific issue. We mainly discussed how to improve our relations

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

No specific discussion on Hasina with foreign secretary, says Verma
Published :
Oct 21, 2024 00:32
Updated :
Oct 21, 2024 00:32

Indian High Commissioner Pranay Kumar Verma has said there were no specific discussions regarding former prime minister Sheikh Hasina during his meeting with Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin.

"There wasn’t a specific issue. We mainly discussed how to improve our relationship in the future,” Verma told journalists after the meeting at the foreign ministry on Sunday, bdnews24.com reports.

Hasina has been staying in India since the fall of the Awami League government on August 5. An interim government led by Muhammad Yunus took the reins on August 8.

On October 17, the International Crimes Tribunal issued an arrest warrant against Hasina in connection with allegations of genocide.

Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain said the caretaker administration would take all necessary steps to arrange for the former prime minister's return within a month in compliance with the arrest warrant.

However, he added that they are not formally aware of the status under which Hasina is staying in India.

During a press briefing on the day the arrest warrant was issued, Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: “The former prime minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina came to India for security. She is still here.”

However, the spokesperson declined to comment on the arrest warrant issued against the former premier in connection with the genocide trial.

Amid these discussions, Verma met foreign secretary Jashim on Sunday.

“This is part of regular meetings. We discussed security and development between the two countries. We maintain positive relations,” Verma said.

He highlighted the mutual dependencies between India and Bangladesh, adding that both nations rely on each other and must continue to enhance this relationship for the benefit of their people.

Since the change of power, India has effectively suspended visa operations in Bangladesh. In response to a query, Verma said staffing shortages at the High Commission have hindered the resumption of regular travel visas for Bangladeshis.

He added, “However, emergency visas for medical and educational purposes are still available in limited quantities.”

A press release from the foreign ministry outlined the following bilateral issues discussed during the meeting:

• Status of the return of the Indian workforce to Bangladesh who had been engaged in various Line of Credit, or LoC projects

• Status of Indian visa operations

• Renewal of the Revised Travel Arrangement, or RTA

• Early consular access for Indian fishermen detained in Bangladesh last week

• Repatriation of Bangladeshi fishermen detained by Indian authorities in mid-September

• Holding of meetings for regular bilateral mechanisms, including the Foreign Office Consultations, or FOC​

 

[Saif]

দিল্লি থেকে হঠাৎ মীরাটের সেনানিবাসে শেখ হাসিনা! কিসের ইঙ্গিত?

 

[Saif]

Hasina’s extradition process will begin after conviction: CA press wing

The government will start the process of extradition of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina once she is convicted in court, Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Apurba Jahangir said on Wednesday. “…there are cases against her (Sheikh Hasina). The process of returning her home

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Hasina’s extradition process will begin after conviction: CA press wing
BSS
Published :
Oct 30, 2024 20:43
Updated :
Oct 30, 2024 20:43

The government will start the process of extradition of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina once she is convicted in court, Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Apurba Jahangir said on Wednesday.

“…there are cases against her (Sheikh Hasina). The process of returning her home will begin after the court verdict,” he told a press briefing at Foreign Service Academy here this evening.

Apurba said Bangladesh has an extradition treaty with India, so it is possible to bring her back to the country under the treaty.

Responding to a query, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said a search committee has been formed to constitute a new Election Commission (EC) and its gazette would be published within a day or two.

On Tuesday, the government formed the search committee, led by Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, a judge of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, to constitute a new EC.​

 

[Saif]

Potential backlash of delaying Hasina’s extradition

FOLLOWING months of speculation, the government of Bangladesh finally announced on October 30, 2024, its intention to initiate the extradition process for Sheikh Hasina, contingent...

www.newagebd.net

Potential backlash of delaying Hasina’s extradition
by Quazi Omar Foysal 09 November, 2024, 00:00

New Age/Md Saurav

FOLLOWING months of speculation, the government of Bangladesh finally announced on October 30, 2024, its intention to initiate the extradition process for Sheikh Hasina, contingent on her conviction verdict, presumably by the International Crimes Tribunal-Bangladesh. Generally, Bangladesh could, as per the India-Bangladesh Extradition Treaty 2013 (amended in 2016), request her extradition from India with an arrest warrant, which it already has at its disposal. It has instead opted to wait for a trial conviction before formally approaching India. Though there may be some policy considerations behind this strategy, its legal implications cannot be ignored.

The delay in requesting extradition may have two potential drawbacks: compromising the due process of the trials and complicating the extradition process. Both are closely interlinked.

The ICT has already issued an arrest warrant against Sheikh Hasina, and the government’s stance suggests regarding her extradition that the Tribunal may proceed with a trial in absentia. Though trial in absentia is not a common law tradition, Bangladesh introduced it through a 1982 amendment to the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1898. Subsequently, the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act 1973 was amended to accommodate trials in absentia in 2012. It is notable that Bangladesh made a reservation to Article 14 (related to the right to a fair trial) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 1966, presumably to retain that judicial practice.

The earlier ICT prosecutors employed the policy of trials in absentia, resulting in about two-fifths of the total convicted being tried without their presence. In fact, ICT trials in absentia policy attracted considerable criticism due to procedural shortcomings. It is highlighted by the Mueen-Uddin vs Secretary of State for the Home Department of the UK Supreme Court decision on June 20, 2024. The UK Supreme Court criticised ICT trials in absentia due to the lack of a full opportunity to contest the case, the effectiveness of court-appointed counsel, the prospect of retrials, and the absence of constitutional safeguards. These criticisms are likely to resurface if Bangladesh proceeds without addressing these concerns in the ICT framework.

The publicly available ICT amendment proposals do not address the issues surrounding trials in absentia. Should the government proceed with its plan to seek extradition only after a conviction, it must seriously consider aligning ICT’s in absentia proceedings with international standards. In that case, the government may take notes from the practices of the UN Special Tribunal for Lebanon, the sole international tribunal that allows trial in absentia. However, Bangladesh can avoid all these criticisms if it decides to try Sheikh Hasina in person. Hence, it would be better to initiate the extradition process pending the final trial.

An extradition request following a final conviction verdict may itself fit within the grounds for refusal of extradition, as stipulated in Article 8 of the 2013 Extradition Treaty. It states, inter alia, that ‘[a] person may not be extradited if... he satisfies the Requested State that it would, having regard to all the circumstances, be unjust or oppressive to extradite him by reason of... the accusation against him not having been made in good faith in the interests of justice.’ Given the Awami League leadership’s strong denials of responsibility for the July massacre, as evident in their public statements, an extradition request accompanied by a conviction verdict rendered in an in-absentia proceeding will provide Sheikh Hasina with sufficient grounds to convince India to trigger Article 8 grounds to reject Bangladesh’s extradition request.

It is likely that India may rely on the procedural differences between in-person and in-absentia trials to substantiate the Article 8 grounds, arguing that the trials in absentia would produce an unjust or oppressive outcome for Sheikh Hasina, undermining the interest of justice. Such a stance would complicate Bangladesh’s ability to advance counterarguments in favour of extradition.

The existence of capital punishment in Bangladeshi law in general and in the ICT Act in particular may offer India an additional tool for interpreting Article 8 of the 2013 Extradition Treaty. While the appropriateness of the death penalty in the transitional justice context is still debated, it has been seen as a hurdle in extraditing individuals, even between countries that retain the death penalty. It is important to note that the existence of the death penalty as a form of punishment and as the specific sentence of an individual under an extradition request are distinct issues, with the latter being particularly problematic in this context. Though both Bangladesh and India have not abolished the death penalty, the imposition of this penalty on a high-profile political leader may present additional challenges.

Given the death penalty as the ICT Act’s highest punishment, the severity of charges against Sheikh Hasina and the availability of evidence against her, it would not be surprising if the ICT — based on its prior sentencing patterns — were to sentence her to death for her alleged role in the July massacre. In that case, India may interpret an extradition request with a conviction verdict containing the death penalty as potentially punitive, arguing that it falls under the Article 8 exceptions. This could make Sheikh Hasina’s extradition nearly impossible.

One of the major shortcomings of the 2013 Extradition Treaty is its absence of a mandatory dispute settlement procedure, which will prevent Bangladesh from resolving any potential disputes related to an extradition request with India. Consequently, both nations may need to engage in diplomatic negotiations to resolve the dispute. To ensure a favourable outcome — namely, the extradition of Sheikh Hasina — Bangladesh should remain vigilant about these issues.

The author has argued elsewhere that Bangladesh should devise proper strategies for providing ‘diplomatic assurances’ to the individuals under the extradition requests in accordance with international best practices. Such measures could help mitigate any due process deficiencies in Bangladesh’s justice system and could be crucial in countering any arguments India may make under Article 8 of the 2013 Extradition Treaty.

For ‘diplomatic assurances’ to be effective, it is recommended that they should be extended to India before the commencement of the trials of an extraditable individual. Even if the ‘diplomatic assurances’ are made after the completion of the trials of Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh may ultimately need to assure India of her retrial as part of these assurances.

Based on these considerations, initiating the extradition process before trial proceedings begin may be essential for Bangladesh, as a conviction verdict would likely preclude her extradition under the 2013 Extradition Treaty.

Quazi Omar Foysal is an international law expert, currently working at American International University-Bangladesh.​

 

[Saif]

Malaysia seeks clarification on Bangladesh's extradition request for two businessmen

Malaysia has sought clarification from Bangladesh regarding its request to extradite two businessmen involved in an ongoing investigation. Malaysian Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the country will consider extradition only after Bangladesh clarifies the purpose of the return, reports

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Malaysia seeks clarification on Bangladesh's extradition request for two businessmen
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
Nov 10, 2024 22:36
Updated :
Nov 10, 2024 22:36

Malaysia has sought clarification from Bangladesh regarding its request to extradite two businessmen involved in an ongoing investigation.

Malaysian Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the country will consider extradition only after Bangladesh clarifies the purpose of the return, reports bdnews24.com citing Free Malaysia Today.

The two men in question are Aminul Islam bin Amin Nur, a Malaysian national of Bangladeshi descent and the founder of Bestinet Sdn Bhd, and Ruhul Amin Swapan, the owner of a Bangladeshi recruiting agency named Catharsis International.

Both are facing allegations related to money laundering, extortion, and human trafficking, linked to their involvement in a recruitment syndicate that allegedly exploited migrant workers for financial gain.

On Oct 24, Bangladesh Police formally requested Malaysia to return the two men for questioning as part of the investigation.

In a letter dated Oct 24, Bangladesh’s Interpol branch told its Malaysian counterpart that the duo had allegedly exposed their victims to physical and mental torture, and played a vital role in a system that fraudulently extorted money from the victims.

However, both Aminul and Ruhul have denied the accusations.

Malaysian home minister told Free Malaysia Today, “Dhaka should explain whether Aminul and Ruhul were merely needed for questioning as part of an investigation or if they were to be charged in court.”

He added that the extradition request did not reveal the purpose.

Saifuddin said, “We need to clarify the objective first. If the objective is for Dhaka to conduct investigations, then they should use the mutual legal assistance channel for that.”

“If Dhaka’s purpose is to charge these individuals in court, then they should say that is the purpose of the extradition,” he told reporters on the sidelines of an event here.

The Malaysian minister said the duo can only be extradited if Dhaka is pressing charges against them.

He added that he had discussed Bangladesh’s extradition request with the attorney-general and inspector-general of police for their feedback on the matter.

“I believe the IGP will handle this and liaise with his Bangladeshi counterpart,” said Saifuddin.

Bloomberg had reported that Bangladeshi police had written to Putrajaya requesting the arrest and extradition of the pair to facilitate their probe into alleged money laundering, extortion and trafficking of migrant workers.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh to Get Interpol Help to Get Sheikh Hasina Back from India

 

[Saif]

ICT chief prosecutor writes to IGP over Interpol red notice for Sheikh Hasina, others

The chief prosecutor sent a letter to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) in this regard on Tuesday, sources at the tribunal said.

en.prothomalo.com

ICT chief prosecutor writes to IGP over Interpol red notice for Sheikh Hasina, others
UNB
Dhaka
Updated: 12 Nov 2024, 15: 29

International Crimes TribunalFile photo

Chief Prosecutor of International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) advocate Md Tajul Islam has written to IGP Md Moinul Islam to take initiatives to issue red notice through Interpol to bring back former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and other fugitives.

The chief prosecutor sent a letter to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) in this regard on Tuesday, sources at the tribunal said.

On 10 November, law adviser Prof Asif Nazrul said red notices will be issued soon through the Interpol against the fugitive accused including Sheikh Hasina involved with the July-August killing.

He said fugitive fascist elements, regardless of where they may be in the world, will be held and brought to justice.

He assured that the government would put it maximum effort to ensure these people are returned to face trial.

Asif Nazrul alleged that Awami League lodged baseless complaints against the government to the International Crimes Tribunal in Netherlands' Hague to tarnish the image of the country.

Earlier on 17 October, a three member ICT bench led by its Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mazumdar issued arrest warrants for 46 accused including Sheikh Hasina and former minister Obaidul Quader in separate cases.​

 

[Saif]

Dhaka unhappy with Hasina’s statements in Indian media

Expressing dissatisfaction over former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s frequent political statements from India, Dhaka has requested New Delhi to intervene and stop her.

www.thedailystar.net

Dhaka unhappy with Hasina’s statements in Indian media
Asks Delhi to bar her from doing so

Expressing dissatisfaction over former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's frequent political statements from India, Dhaka has requested New Delhi to intervene and stop her.

"The government is unhappy with Sheikh Hasina's political statements appearing frequently in Indian media. We have communicated our dissatisfaction to the Indian government through the Indian high commissioner in Dhaka," Toufique Hasan, director general at the foreign ministry's Public Diplomacy Wing, said at the weekly briefing at the ministry yesterday.

About the response from the Indian government, he said the Indian envoy told officials that he would pass the message to his government.

Hasina fled to India on August 5 after the fall of her government in the face of a mass uprising.

About initiating the process for repatriating Hasina in line with an order of the International Crimes Tribunal, Toufique said the foreign ministry has not yet received any request from the ministry concerned.

Responding to a question about the issuance of a low number of visas by the Indian high commission in Dhaka, the foreign ministry spokesperson said Dhaka has communicated this to New Delhi. However, the Indian authorities said that they had to suspend the processing of visas for some categories due to a manpower shortage.

According to the official, the foreign ministry is trying to ensure that Bangladeshi students, who need to go to India to obtain visas for a third country, can have their visas from other countries like Vietnam, Uzbekistan or Pakistan.

LABOUR COUNSELLOR STAND RELEASED

Toufique said the government has ordered Mohammed Kamrul Islam, counsellor (Labour Wing) at the Bangladesh mission in Geneva, to return home immediately. It also dismissed a local staff member of the mission following the recent harassment of Law Adviser Asif Nazrul in Geneva.

"It was an unfortunate and unexpected incident… we have already taken actions against one of our officers and a local staff member."

The foreign ministry spokesperson noted that his ministry has already instructed all Bangladesh missions abroad to take measures to ensure the security and appropriate protocol for the high-level government dignitaries during their visits abroad.

A video circulating on social media shows a group of people confronting Asif at the Geneva Airport when he went there to attend an ILO event.

The incident occurred just before the adviser entered the airport to catch his return flight, with Kamrul accompanying him. At that moment, the labour counsellor allegedly remained passive.

MEDIA REQUESTED TO MAINTAIN CAUTION

Toufique said some newspapers recently ran reports on a few foreign ministry officials, particularly those supposed to be appointed as ambassadors.

"This is unfortunate. Officials who are appointed as ambassadors have experience of at least 25 years. The government also considers their ability to represent the country abroad. If such a negative media campaign is run, it hurts the country's image."

He requested the media to report on a particular issue only after thorough investigations.

Asked if any reforms initiatives were initiated for the foreign ministry, Toufique said no such initiative has been taken.

He, however, said the government recently decided not to extend the tenures of the ambassadors who have retired.

"We had been demanding this for long. You can consider this initiative as part of reforms."

He informed journalists that UK Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Indo Pacific Catherine West will be visiting Bangladesh on November 16-17.

She is scheduled to hold meetings with the chief adviser and the foreign adviser.​

 

[Saif]

Dhaka to pursue extradition of Hasina, Prof Yunus tells The Hindu

Bangladesh will pursue the extradition of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus told The Hindu

www.thedailystar.net

Dhaka to pursue extradition of Hasina, Prof Yunus tells The Hindu

File photo: PID

Bangladesh will pursue the extradition of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus told The Hindu.

He however admitted that he had no objection to her party, Awami League, contesting the elections.

In an exclusive interview with The Hindu at his residence in Dhaka, Yunus spelt out his vision for ties with India and plans for reform.

His interview was released in online version of the Indian daily today.

Prof Yunus defended his government's record in 100 days since it was formed and called reports over the rise of radicalism and safety of the nation's Hindus and other minorities "propaganda", which has led to sharp criticism from India and US president-elect Donald Trump.​

 

[Saif]

Delhi must send back Hasina, Bangladesh interim govt chief tells The Hindu

Chief adviser professor Muhammad Yunus said that Bangladesh would pursue the extradition of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina from India.

www.newagebd.net

Delhi must send back Hasina, Bangladesh interim govt chief tells The Hindu
Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha . Dhaka 19 November, 2024, 16:46

Professor Muhammad Yunus | UNB photo

Chief adviser professor Muhammad Yunus said that Bangladesh would pursue the extradition of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina from India.

He, however, admitted that he had no objection to her party the Awami League contesting in elections.

In an exclusive interview with The Hindu at his residence in Dhaka, Yunus spelt out his vision for ties with India and plans for reform.

His interview was released in online version of the Indian daily on Tuesday.

Professor Yunus defended his government’s record in 100 days since it was formed and called reports over the rise of radicalism and safety of the nation’s Hindus and other minorities ‘propaganda’, which has led to sharp criticism from India and US president-elect Donald Trump.​

 

[Saif]

Dhaka wants reciprocal relations with Delhi: Touhid

Foreign affairs adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Wednesday said Bangladesh wants good relations with India on a reciprocal basis, hinting that Foreign Office Consultations between the two countries might take place a day ahead instead of December 10...

www.newagebd.net

Dhaka wants reciprocal relations with Delhi: Touhid
United News of Bangladesh . Dhaka 05 December, 2024, 00:55

Foreign affairs adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Wednesday said Bangladesh wants good relations with India on a reciprocal basis, hinting that Foreign Office Consultations between the two countries might take place a day ahead instead of December 10.

‘It is very clear that we want good relations but it should be reciprocal. We need to work to that end,’ he told reporters while responding to a question at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Asked about the FOC, Hossain said it may take place one day ahead of the schedule, or it will be held on December 10 in Dhaka.

Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misri is likely to be in Dhaka on December 9 or 10 accordingly as both Bangladesh and India are preparing for the Foreign Secretary-level meeting.

Once finalised, this is going to be the first visit to be paid by a senior Indian government official to Bangladesh since the interim government, led by Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus, came to power in August 8, a diplomatic source told UNB on Wednesday.

However, there has been no official announcement yet regarding his visit to hold the Foreign Office Consultations with Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin.

The discussion is likely to cover a range of bilateral issues, including the potential extradition of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently in India and visa issues.

At the foreign ministry’s weekly briefing on November 21, director general of the Public Diplomacy Wing Toufique Hasan confirmed that an inter-ministerial meeting has already taken place to coordinate preparations for the upcoming talks.

‘There is a scope for discussion on the matter (extradition of Sheikh Hasina),’ Hasan said at a weekly media briefing.

Sheikh Hasina, who fled Dhaka on August 5 and has been residing in India since then, is facing trial in Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal for alleged involvement in mass killings during the July-August uprising.

While the government intends to bring her back, Hasan emphasised that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not yet received any formal directive to initiate the extradition process.

‘We will engage with Delhi and begin the formal process in accordance with the existing extradition treaty once we receive the necessary instructions,’ he clarified in response to queries.

Regarding the review of existing agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) between the two countries, Hasan said that these fall under the jurisdiction of various ministries in Bangladesh.​

 

[Saif]

'Time to act' on bringing Hasina back has not yet arrived: MoFA spokesperson

Although discussions have been going on about taking steps to bring former premier Sheikh Hasina back from India, the foreign ministry has said the time is not yet right for it to step in. An arrest warrant has been issued for her by the International Crimes Tribunal. During the foreign ministry'

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

'Time to act' on bringing Hasina back has not yet arrived: MoFA spokesperson
Published :
Dec 05, 2024 22:45
Updated :
Dec 05, 2024 22:45

Although discussions have been going on about taking steps to bring former premier Sheikh Hasina back from India, the foreign ministry has said the time is not yet right for it to step in.

An arrest warrant has been issued for her by the International Crimes Tribunal.

During the foreign ministry's weekly briefing, spokesperson Rafiqul Alam noted that the ministry is not the sole “partner” in the initiative to repatriate her, as other ministries are also involved, bdnews24.com reports.

“The time for us to play our role has not yet come. When the time for us to play our role comes, we will do it,” he said.

Hasina has been in India since the ouster of the Awami League government on August 5.

The International Crimes Tribunal is currently trying several leaders, including the Awami League president, on charges related to "mass killings" during the July-August mass uprisings.

On October 18, the tribunal ordered Hasina, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, and other accused individuals to appear before the court within a month.

Following that order, the foreign affairs advisor said: “Just five minutes before I entered the room, the paper had reached me. We will definitely take necessary measures.

“The court has given a month’s time. Meanwhile, we will definitely try to bring her back, we will do whatever is necessary for us.”

Despite over a month and a half passing, the foreign ministry has not shown any visible efforts to bring Hasina back.

The ministry's spokesperson has continued to state that the foreign ministry will only act after receiving formal instructions from another ministry.

When asked whether such instructions had been received, Rafiqul responded: “As far as I know, no instructions have been received so far.”

Since the Hasina government’s fall, there has been noticeable tension and hostility in Bangladesh's relations with India.

Both nations have issued conflicting statements about the persecution of minority Hindus in Bangladesh.

A foreign secretary-level meeting between the two countries is scheduled to take place in Dhaka on December 9, with the aim of easing tensions and revitalising relations.

External Affairs Secretary Vikram Misri will represent India at the Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) a platform for regular dialogue between foreign secretaries.

Bangladesh’s delegation will be led by Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin.

Discussing the FOC agenda, Rafiqul said: “In any FOC, efforts are made to keep all the elements that exist in the bilateral relationship. Both sides need consent while setting the agenda.”

He indicated that large-scale issues such as trade, borders, connectivity, and water as well as recent developments are likely to be addressed.

“There are certainly many more elements besides this. But I do not have more information than this at the moment,” he added.

The interim government has refrained from opposing India’s decision to grant Hasina asylum but has urged her not to make any “political statements” from there, which could destabilise Bangladesh.

In response to an enquiry about whether India had responded to the diplomatic note previously sent, Rafiqul said, “I do not know whether any response has come from India.”

Reports surfaced on Thursday in several media outlets suggesting that Awami League leaders and activists are planning a rally in London, with party chief Hasina expected to address it virtually.

When asked whether the foreign ministry was aware of this meeting and how India was facilitating her involvement, he replied, “We know through newspapers.

“How it is being facilitated, it is not a matter for me to give a statement. She is in India, and their government can tell us better about how they’re handling the situation.”​